What happens in your scene? Out line the basic events.
In the scene 2.2, Macbeth has just killed Duncan and is terrified with the guilt he feels. He starts hearing voices, noise, and animals. While he is talking to Lady Macbeth about his terrifying experience, she notices that he hadn't left the dagger behind. She goes back with the dagger to make the guards seem more guilty.
What do you think are the key purposes of your scene? In other words, why is this scene important?
This scene is important because it is the transition from the happy days into his tragedy. Macbeth is no longer happy and will never forget the guilt he has. Without this scene after Duncan's death, the rest of the story would have very little connection.
What are your reactions to this scene?
I felt like it was reasonable. After murdering a person, we could see that Macbeth was not the kind of a character to commit murders. He loses his sanity to the terrors of guilt. I was a bit taken back when Lady Macbeth was still so willingly bold after this whole situation was over. However, I was able to tell that there was a lot less boldness in her voice after the murder than prior to it.
Character Report
No matter how big or small the art, every actor needs to know the answers to the following questions for his/her character. Answer the following questions for the character you will play.
What does your character want in this scene (this is the obejctive)?
In scene 2.2, Macbeth wants to undo his wrongdoing; after he commits the murder of Duncan, Macbeth is overwhelmed with the guilt he feels. Macbeth seems to conflict between the desire for power and the desire to clean his guilt.
What is your character's motivation for doing what he or she does?
Macbeth's motivation is Lady Macbeth and his internal desire for what he wants. Therefore, he commits the murder, but ends up regretting his actions.
What obstacles stand in his or her way?
The voices, the knocking, and the conversation he overheard all prevented him from trying to become innocent. He was unable to say amen when murdering Duncan. His own conscience prevents him from getting rid of the guilt.
What happens when your character confronts these obstacles?
He goes crazy. In scene 2.2, he only panics and becomes depressed, but throughout the book, he becomes more and more insane. He is haunted by the ghosts and by his own guilt.
Are there any distinctive elements in your character's way of speaking? (Is his or her language elaborate, plain, musical, or what?)
Macbeth is generally in a hurry, panic, and fear in this scene. He is afraid of being caught and his guilt is reflected clearly in his speech. He speaks rushed sentences as if he were haunted.
What is your character thinking during the scene (this is the subtext)? (How does he or she react to other characters and events?)
My character is thinking solely about the murder, the consequences, and the guilt he feels. He remains stubborn even when Lady Macbeth criticizes Macbeth for his cowardliness.
Student Reflection: Please answer the following questions on your AC page below: 1. Evaluate the performance of your group. What went well? What didn’t go well?
I think our group did a good job of expressing the characters' moods and feelings. The speeches were delivered accurately but the transition was slightly weak. 2. How well did you contribute to your group?
I contributed to my group by cooperating well, helping others work on the script, and preparing for the actual performance. 3. How well did you perform as an individual?
I think my individual performance was pretty well done (for me, at least). I tried to deliver the lines as closely as I could to its original meaning. However, I think I relied too much on the script and think it would have been better if I were to memorize the script. 4. What could have improved your scene performance?
As I stated, memorizing the script may have improved scene performance. Also, a smoother transition may have been helpful. 5. How did the scene performance help you better understand the play.
In the endless pursuit of trying to understand the scene, I naturally came to understand my scene, and as a whole, the play better. I tried to discover moods and internal thoughts that were not visible until I had gone through extensive analysis and practice.
Scene Analysis
Character Report
No matter how big or small the art, every actor needs to know the answers to the following questions for his/her character. Answer the following questions for the character you will play.
Student Reflection: Please answer the following questions on your AC page below:
1. Evaluate the performance of your group. What went well? What didn’t go well?
I think our group did a good job of expressing the characters' moods and feelings. The speeches were delivered accurately but the transition was slightly weak.
2. How well did you contribute to your group?
I contributed to my group by cooperating well, helping others work on the script, and preparing for the actual performance.
3. How well did you perform as an individual?
I think my individual performance was pretty well done (for me, at least). I tried to deliver the lines as closely as I could to its original meaning. However, I think I relied too much on the script and think it would have been better if I were to memorize the script.
4. What could have improved your scene performance?
As I stated, memorizing the script may have improved scene performance. Also, a smoother transition may have been helpful.
5. How did the scene performance help you better understand the play.
In the endless pursuit of trying to understand the scene, I naturally came to understand my scene, and as a whole, the play better. I tried to discover moods and internal thoughts that were not visible until I had gone through extensive analysis and practice.